1. a strip of land cleared of trees and other flammable material to stop the spread of fire, especially in a forest

Examples

• The forest service cut a firebreak through the woods to protect nearby homes.
• Firefighters established a firebreak by removing dead vegetation along the ridge.
• Without a firebreak, the wildfire spread rapidly across the dry grassland.
• The firebreak proved effective in slowing the advance of the flames.
• Maintenance crews regularly clear firebreaks to keep them ready for emergency use.
• A wide firebreak separated the two forest zones and prevented the fire from jumping across.